So... yeah, here's week two. I totally rushed this one so bear with me.
Happy new year!
[Week 2: New Year, "Hear Me Out"]
"Violence makes more violence," Takane whispered, giggles threatening to come out of her mouth and interrupt her. "The pain and sickness, all over me–"
"Are you quoting something?"
"An understanding between two friends," she said, attempting to draw one of her finger to his lips, but all she did was almost put it inside his mouth. "You can rely on me, Fred!"
After that, she exploded into laughter, and Haruka decided to not think too much about it, since Takane was probably only saying meaningless things. Without mentioning that, she was most likely, unaware of her own state.
He'd never thought he could ever think a thing such as that, but he did; she stunk. Her breath stunk to alcohol, something he's not really fond of. But it's still Takane, just that she drank more than necessary and was saying things Haruka couldn't understand, not even a little, but it's still her, so he's definitely going to take care of her.
Perhaps he should just keep to himself he was upset about it. Because Takane simply acted as if she didn't know that everytime she starts drinking something bad would happen; that doesn't mean she's an alcoholic, no. She just has little self-control when they're all gathered together and someone has the not so bright idea of bringing alcohol along. Which is, thank god, not often.
But now, Takane, the same girl who a few hours earlier was complaining about how slow public transport is, was humming one of Momo's songs as she had her cheek pressed against the toilet lid, as they were basically still sitting on the bathroom floor just in case she throws up again.
"Are you feeling any better?" Haruka asked carefully, not really sure how she'd answer. After all, like this, she could be either agressive or sweet, or maybe she'll just go on and keep saying senseless things. He never stopped patting her back, and even if Takane was smiling, he couldn't help let the worry take over his features.
"Are you saying I'm weak?" she quickly blurted out, slurring her words all over her sentence. "I'm fine– Let's just... let's go back with everyone..."
"Takane, are you sure?" Haruka knows that it'd be best if he didn't contradict her, but she definitely didn't look fine. "Let's stay a little longer, okay?"
"But piece of shit Kano would drink away everything if–"
"It's not like you'd need more right now, Takane," he said, feeling exhausted already. It wasn't even midnight, therefore, it still was new year's eve. They couldn't leave now if the whole point of going there was be together with their friends at the very beginning of the new year. He was glad he didn't like drinking; what if he was in such a bad state like Takane right now? Who'd look after her, even if she seemed reluctant to it? "...You won't feel better by getting more alcohol into your system, you know?"
"Haruka, I didn't catch a word of what you said," Takane opened her eyes, finally lifting her head from the toilet. She placed a hand on her face, as she rubbed her forehead with her fingers. "I can't find the X buttom... I want to spare."
He was about to answer her something, he wasn't sure what, but Haruka's definitely opened his mouth to respond, before an agressive, violent punch hit the closed door of the bathroom. It was actually supposed to be a knock, that came along Ayano's loud voice.
"Are you two still in there?" she kept on knocking, as Haruka quickly answered that yes, they're indeed still in there. He guessed it must have been half an hour or so since he dragged Takane once she told him she was feeling sick, and he wasn't sure if Ayano was asking because she needed to throw up as well or for some other reason. "It's three minutes to midnight! Are you coming out?"
"No, we're having sex, get out," Takane stuck her tongue out, even if she knew it was impossible for the other girl to see. Ayano only responded with an 'okay', as if what her friend said was the most common thing to get for a reply. Haruka forced out a giggle, not really sure why, and cleared his throat once Takane's eyes were on him. She had such a straight face, even after saying something like that. If she was aware, she's kick him out of there and refuse to speak to him for the rest of the night.
"Maybe we should go out now," he told her, despite his previous statement. "We could stay for a bit with everyone and then go home. You need sleep, don't you, Takane?"
She closed her eyes, quietly, letting her eyelashes, covered with just a little of mascara, touch her pale cheeks. The cheeks that right now, lacked her normal pink blush that was constantly there, either because of embarrassment, happiness or just both. Takane only looked sick now, as she used to when she was the one getting hospitalized instead of him, and it was his turn to go visit her, finding her asleep each time, in those highschool days of theirs.
"You maybe were right," she said, opening her eyes again. Haruka stared at them, remembering when they had black circles around them, but always being pretty anyway. "Maybe I am... a little, just a little, drunk."
He only giggled, starting to move his hand on her back again, and took a strand of her hair with his free hand, running his fingers through it. Takane smiled again, just at the same time someone out there yelled, presumably for them to hear, that it was sixty seconds until new year.
"Do you want to rejoin them?" he asked, hearing everyone try to coordinate their voices so they could countdown. "We can stay if you're not feeling well."
"We'd be only celebrating that's a new day, it's pointless," Takane's smile disappeared, noticeably bothered by the typical thought of what a new year is. "It's not like... everything's going to change or anything."
"Mhm, maybe, but it's nice to have this type of celebration," Haruka caressed her cheek, and even if she tried to draw his hands away, she leaned her face closer to his touch. "You can set yourself goals, or things like that."
"Right, how thrilling. Do you have any goals?"
"...No, not really. I could think about it, I suppose," lying is wrong, he's always thought that. And he never had trouble with it, it wasn't like he needed to ever lie (perhaps, it'd be best if he ignored the many times he said 'I'm fine' when that certainly wasn't the case.) But if his called 'goal' was to finally afford a ring to propose to her, was lying valid? "Have you?"
Takane opened her mouth, and he just knew it would be a curse. She wasn't able to voice it, though, because everyone else out there started cheering, and glasses clicked together, as each one of them were cheerfully welcoming the new year.
"...Happy new year, Takane!"
"Hmm... yeah, happy new year. I love you."
"Oh– I love you, too!" he replied, feeling a little mushy, since she's not really the one always saying it first. Haruka finally blushed once she pressed a light kiss on his cheek, although a little bit of disappointment stitched his head.
"Let's not kiss now."
"But it's the midnight kiss!"
"I'm not letting you see me throw up and kiss me the same night..."
He only snickered, easily complying. Not because it was gross to kiss her if she's vomited before, but because she's most likely unaware and it'd be wrong, even if it was just a short and innocent peck of lips.
"And hey, I may actually have a goal for this year," Takane looked at him, her head tilted to the side and her arms crossed. He couldn't stop the smile that began to tug at his lips, because even looking like a mess as she does right now, she still is absolutely adorable.
"Oh, that's good!" he exclaimed, perhaps too loudly. It didn't matter, though, as long as everyone was much louder than him. "And what is it?"
"Maybe... I could remind you how much I love you more often," she quietly said, and if it wasn't because they were apart from all the noise, Haruka wouldn't have heard her. "Because I do. Love you, I mean. A lot, I mean... I can't even explain how much, but it is a whole lot and... and I hope I don't remember this by tomorrow."
"I'm sure you will," he took her hand in his, and Takane smiled, finally a hint of a light blush decorating her cheeks, even though she still wasn't fully aware. "I know you love me, but it makes me happy to hear you say it!"
"And it makes me happy to know you're happy..." her eyes were starting to close by themselves. She's healthy now, but sometimes her old illness tends to kick in and makes her randomly fall asleep. Takane let out a few slurred words before completely closing her eyes, "Maybe... this year, we could even get married..."
Her presence makes him feel warm even in the wintry cold of this January first, and his gentle smile stays there as he wraps his arms around her small figure to lift her off the floor. Just like all the previous years, Haruka found himself falling in love with her all over again.
